By Contributing Editor, David M ajor

TORONTO, Ont. (andPOP) – The city of Toronto honoured the emergence of Urban music in Canada Wednesday at the ?Urban X-Posure Music Awards?, as all of the leading figures in the industry turned out for the party at the Phoenix Concert Theatre. Both, musicians and the people that work behind the scenes, enjoyed a party atmosphere, with everybody being happy to be able to celebrate this monumental event for Urban music. There were no penguin suits, and no fake smiles. As Sol Guy (1 of 4 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners) said in a very eloquently presented speech, Canadian artists must continue to be themselves, Canadian, Urban, and ?keeping it real?.

Urban X-Posure is just the latest in what has been and will continue to be a spectacular year for urban music. Earlier in the year, ?Flow 93.5?, became the first Canadian Urban music station to hit the airwaves. While, later this year, the first All-Urban Video television network will be debuted. By standards of the Canadian Radio Television Commission, all television stations must play 50% Canadian content, while radio stations must play 33%. With that in mind, Canadian Urban music has received great rotation on Flow 93.5, and with the new television station, homegrown artists are going to be seen through media outlets across Canada.

Co-hosted by the always-humorous Russel Peters, Urban X-Posure offered laughs, ideas for the future, and a lot of awards. In fact, there were actually too many awards for most of the audience, as the audience dwindled down to mere dozens by the time Choclair and the Rascals gave an uninspired performance to end the night. Kardinal Offishall and his hit song ?Bakardi Slang? took home three awards including Best Hip-Hop/Rap Recording, and Best Music Video. Meanwhile, Baby Blue Sound Crew took home two awards for Best New Artist, and Best R&B/Soul Recording. Lenn Hammond, nephew of award winning reggae artist Beres Hammond, took home the award for Best Reggae Recording.

However, there is no question that the real winner on this night was the Urban Music industry itself. This was a night to celebrate how far Canada has come in such a short period of time. Whether it be Gospel, Rap/Hip-Hop, R&B, or Reggae, and whether it be radio, television, or even web-sites, Canadian Urban Music talent is making its mark, both here, and around the world as well.

August 1st, 2002, look for Urban X-Posure to be bigger and much better.

Now if you?ll excuse me, I need to go download the T-Dot Anthem by IRS, another great Hip-Hop song dedicated to the streets and activities of Toronto.

COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS

Lifetime Achievement Award

Ron Nelson

Special Achievement Award

Sol Guy

Special Achievement Award

Denham Jolly

Special Achievement Award

Chris Smith

International Achievement Award

Janet Jackson

Best Hip Hop/Rap Recording

BaKardi Slang – Kardinal Offishall

Best R&B/Soul Recording

Only Be in Love – Baby Blue Soundcrew, featuring Glenn Lewis

Best Gospel Recording

Love Letters – Londa Larmond

Best World Recording

Samba Squad – Samba Squad

Best Music Video

BaKardi Slang – Kardinal Offishall

(Kevin Francis, Director)

Best Publication

Word Magazine

Best Radio Personality

Tony Reid – The Urban Suite – Flow 93.5 FM

Best Manager

Sol Guy

Best Songwriter

Kardinal Offishall & Solitair (BaKardi Slang)

Best New Artist

Baby Blue Soundcrew

Best Producer

Solitair

Best Reggae Recording

Lenn Hammond – Lenn Hammond.

Best Record Label

Planet Rock Entertainment

Best Website

Maddflavz.com

Best Spoken Word Recording

Dwayne Morgan

Best DJ/DJ Crew

Baba Kahn

Best Electronic Recording

America Eats its Young – Nick Holder, featuring Jemeni

Best Music Retailer

HMV Canada

Best Publicity/Marketing Team

BMG Urban

Best Promoter

Jonathan Ramos – REMG

Best Record Pool

Flavor Pool






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